2007-07-26 11:12:29

“Another beautiful album from this quiet virtuoso of the acoustic guitar. His clean, finger picked style showing a high degree of skill and inventiveness. The immaculate quality of the recording captures these qualities superbly.

This is a regular working band and the interaction between the three musicians is excellent throughout. Stoysin's signature acoustic guitar sound is at the heart of the music, his crystalline notes drawing out the full beauty of the folk based melodies. Booth's liquid bass glides and purrs in sympathetic support and Birch adds extra colour and texture utilising a wide array of percussive effects ranging from the sound of the traditional drum kit to the to the shimmer of the bell tree.

Stoysin's own compositions are largely in keeping with the style of the traditional material. Throughout the album the playing is unhurried and conversational and simultaneously serves and embellishes the flowing melodies. Towards the end of the album the players really increase the pace. Branco’s "Miss D" demonstrates their jazz chops as they improvise on a fast minor blues theme. Booth's aptly titled "Calm Before The Storm" is in similar vein with a rich solo bass introduction giving way to another dazzling display of the trio's jazz credentials as they improvise at breakneck speed on the chord changes of "Confirmation".

Stoysin's pastoral style harbours hidden strengths. There is real musical intelligence behind this relaxing, Sun drenched music.”

Ian Mann, 24dash.com (4 **** rating)